Selling quilts for what there worth?
12-29-2018, 06:12 AM
#51
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,469
There are very few quilters that make money at quilting and most that do it isn't from selling their quilts but their designs or skills as a teacher or their innovative rulers or quilting paraphernalia. You (meaning anyone) have no control over how people view quilts and it is a long established fact that most people can't or won't pay enough to cover the cost of making a quilt. The definition of insanity is repeating the same action expecting different results, so instead of "punching the wind" or lamenting about how things "should be" it might be better to do a different action. Find something less expensive to make that people will pay for, and do it well, and do it in a way that "big box" can't easily imitate. For instance bags or purses, this is something people are "seen with" so they place more value in. But made w/ very unexpected / fancy / cool fabric or prints that people cannot go to Wally World and buy for $5.
well said!
12-29-2018, 06:16 AM
#52
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,215
Vanna, I haven't read the other replies so I may be repeating someone else here.
I'm a longtime quilter and I don't think people understand what goes into making a quilt unless they've actually made one. And with all the cheap knock-offs that are being sold for so little money.........
I make quilts only for family and am planning one for a dear friend. If I had to make money for them it would become work and my enjoyment would fly out the window. (my opinion only)
I'm a longtime quilter and I don't think people understand what goes into making a quilt unless they've actually made one. And with all the cheap knock-offs that are being sold for so little money.........
I make quilts only for family and am planning one for a dear friend. If I had to make money for them it would become work and my enjoyment would fly out the window. (my opinion only)
01-02-2019, 07:10 AM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 459
There are people out there who are willing to pay what a quilt is worth. But it's a niche market. You can't expect to sell your quilts only to your neighbor.
I have an Etsy shop and sell my quilts there. I'm doing pretty good. It's not my only source of income ( have a part time job to give me insurance, retirement plans, etc.) but I pay myself a decent hourly wage. I won't do a quilt for third country wage. It took me 5 years to build my shop. I have tools that help me to lower the labor time (an Accuquilt studio to cut my fabric, a longarm quilting machine) And most of my sale are for custom quilts. People are more willing to pay 10X the price of a manufactured item if they can pick their own colors, fabric, etc.
I agree with someone who said customers want something that look handmade but not homemade. So you have to find just the right level of perfection to create a quilt that will look great without investing too much labor in it.
I have an Etsy shop and sell my quilts there. I'm doing pretty good. It's not my only source of income ( have a part time job to give me insurance, retirement plans, etc.) but I pay myself a decent hourly wage. I won't do a quilt for third country wage. It took me 5 years to build my shop. I have tools that help me to lower the labor time (an Accuquilt studio to cut my fabric, a longarm quilting machine) And most of my sale are for custom quilts. People are more willing to pay 10X the price of a manufactured item if they can pick their own colors, fabric, etc.
I agree with someone who said customers want something that look handmade but not homemade. So you have to find just the right level of perfection to create a quilt that will look great without investing too much labor in it.
01-02-2019, 08:43 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Victorian Sweatshop
Posts: 863
I offered to make a quilt for both of my Daughter-in-Laws ( in addition to the several I had already gifted them). I took them to the fabric store and they picked out the fabrics and paid for them. It was an eye opener for them. One sent me a gift card and asked me to make one for her friend. I was happy to do it. She sent me another gift card after it was finished. My daughters already knew to buy the fabric if they wanted something special. Its a process of education even in the family and I only sell quilt tops because I love piecing and quilt if I must.
01-02-2019, 12:21 PM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,789
I don't think it is always that people don't understand what goes into a quilt(cost and time-wise) or any other type of handwork. People have a limit in their minds of what they are willing to pay for an item. I have been quilting for over 50 years, and I am well aware of what goes into a quilt but I would not pay hundreds of $$ or more for a quilt. Not because I don't recognize the quality or value, but I cannot justify paying that much for something to sleep under or just look pretty on my bed. On the other hand I know people that will pay whatever for a quality quilt for a wedding gift because they want their GKs to have an heirloom quality gift that they themselves cannot make.
01-04-2019, 08:50 AM
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 903
I've made and given away lots of quilts, donated them to silent auctions and raffles - but just don't want to sell them because I know that I have more money and time in them that anyone would want to pay - and I don't blame them because I wouldn't pay it either. I make quilts because I like to - that is the only reason. I think that the only way to really make money on them is to do commission work or art quilts.
01-04-2019, 10:02 AM
#58
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I don't think it is always that people don't understand what goes into a quilt(cost and time-wise) or any other type of handwork. People have a limit in their minds of what they are willing to pay for an item. I have been quilting for over 50 years, and I am well aware of what goes into a quilt but I would not pay hundreds of $$ or more for a quilt. Not because I don't recognize the quality or value, but I cannot justify paying that much for something to sleep under or just look pretty on my bed. On the other hand I know people that will pay whatever for a quality quilt for a wedding gift because they want their GKs to have an heirloom quality gift that they themselves cannot make.
01-04-2019, 11:08 AM
#59
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 28
“In my crazy brain it’s free”...haha so true! I have total amnesia about the time and money I spend. And hypocritical as it may be, I too don’t want to pay what a quilt is truly worth. I don’t know what that says about me...
I have a small Etsy shop where I sell some patterns and other miscellaneous projects, but by and large I get SO MUCH more satisfaction out of giving my quilts away. In fact that’s my resolution for this year, to mail off most of my quilts to friends and family as a surprise. I know the risks involved in gifting, but I also know the recipients so I don’t expect much negative feedback. The point is, giving feels good so I try to focus on that. But I feel your pain of your work not being properly valued. In the end you do it because you love to, and that’s enough.
I have a small Etsy shop where I sell some patterns and other miscellaneous projects, but by and large I get SO MUCH more satisfaction out of giving my quilts away. In fact that’s my resolution for this year, to mail off most of my quilts to friends and family as a surprise. I know the risks involved in gifting, but I also know the recipients so I don’t expect much negative feedback. The point is, giving feels good so I try to focus on that. But I feel your pain of your work not being properly valued. In the end you do it because you love to, and that’s enough.
01-05-2019, 03:05 AM
#60
Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 32
I am not a great quilter and only stitch in the ditch so far,=. I have been asked to sell my quilts and I don't. I make them for myself and have given away the ones I have made I just recently kept a couple. I was offered twice of my project money. They were attic windows and the hours into them to me was not worth it. I think it takes away from it's value. People love the gift.
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